Arthro-Pod Episode 205: Insect Behavior and Conservation with Dr. Ted Burk

Get ready listeners, this episode is packed with so many things! Jody and Jonathan are joined by Dr. Ted Burk, who really didn't need any questions, prompts or an outline. It is an episode rich in stories about insects, scientific discovery, and conservation efforts—perfect for entomologists, conservationists, and nature enthusiasts alike. 

This interview with entomologist Dr. Burk follows his lifelong path from 4-H insect collecting to a decades-long career in behavior, ecology, and conservation at Creighton University. He shares stories from his research on American cockroaches, crickets, Caribbean fruit flies, conehead katydids, regal fritillaries, monarch butterflies, and fireflies, while highlighting how insect mating behavior, pollination, and prairie restoration reveal the deep ecological importance of even the smallest creatures.

Note: If you want to hear Ted talk about the biologically interesting state of Nebraska pay attention to 37:23-39:39.

More about Ted:

• Dr. Theodore Burk’s Faculty Profile at Creighton University Department of Biology   
• Xerces Society 2024 article about Ted Burk and his work with insect conservation 
• Glacier Creek Preserve Butterfly List, last updated 2020
• Richard Dawkins and Theodore Burk in 1976 Photo

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Intro and Outro song: "There it is" by Kevin McLeod, Incomptech Music